Smulders is set to play SHIELD Agent Maria Hill, who was the ruthless interim executive director of SHIELD in the comics. Smulders, whose deal is expected to close soon, reportedly beat out such actresses as Morena Baccarin, Jessica Lucas and Mary Elizabeth Winstead. Whedon first took note of Smulders when he was trying to cast his failed Wonder Woman film, according to Deadline.com.

Rampant speculation first began about Smulders’ role after Jackson revealed on Late Night with Jimmy Fallonthat he would be reading with five actresses who were auditioning to be Nick Fury’s sidekick in The Avengers.